All articles from Howard LaFranchi

Reports indicate the State Department plans to upgrade Malaysia from last year’s bottom-rung ranking on slavery and human trafficking. Advocates and members of Congress, say, if true, it represents a disregard for human rights in favor of economics.

US and Russia may have their differences, but both cheered when the rocket launched Friday bearing much-needed supplies for the crew of the International Space Station. The launch follows two failed attempts.

Cuba is one of a number of key foreign-policy issues in which President Obama has sought to get beyond what he has seen as mistaken policies of the past. The approach has been vaunted by some, vilified by others.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff sits down with President Obama at the White House Tuesday after a year of personal efforts by President Obama to address the issue of NSA spying on US friends and allies.

Under such an authorization, EU countries could destroy the boats that smugglers are using to ferry thousands of migrants to southern Europe. EU officials have said only vessels with no passengers would be targeted.

This weekend, the G7 meets in Germany, with Ukraine and Russia’s behavior expected to figure prominently on the agenda. Also, EU countries will be deciding whether sanctions imposed on Russia over actions in Ukraine should be renewed.

Such steps will be necessary to reduce the appeal of Islamic State in Sunni-majority areas, many say. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will present his plan for retaking Anbar province at a Paris meeting Tuesday.

The Sunni-Shiite divide has hardened as Shiites have consolidated power – creating the conditions for Islamic State to seize Ramadi earlier this month. A US strategy from 2006 might point to one way of narrowing the gap.